11 October 2007

Because I'm in a Baking Mood...Bagels

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I usually post actual entrees. But I'm in a baking mood and totally off the raw food wagon (or kind of, anyway)... so I'm posting what I've been gorging myself on the last two days - bagels!!!!!!!!!!!!!Here's the recipes for those who are interested.

I get a lot of questions when I post a recipe calling for Better Batter Gluten Free Flour, so I'm providing a link to the website. Knock yerself out.Meanwhile... Here's the recipes:

These are a near clone of the Everything Bagels you can buy at the Einstein Brothers bagel shops. These bagels fill the house with the smell of a bagel shop. They taste awesome toasted with butter. For a treat, make them into Breakfast Sandwiches.

I'm including photos of each step to try and make it easier to visualize. Follow the directions carefully and you'll have real bagels in no time! This recipe makes 24 large bagels.8 cups all purpose flour1/4 c sugar1/4 c molasses2 Tbsp salt2 packages active dry yeast 6 cups warm water

Flour, for rollingWater plus sugar for the water bath (1 Tbsp per 2 quarts)cornmeal for dusting the pans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line three or four baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with cornmeal.

1. Mix all Dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the water and molasses and knead with your hands until the mixture resembles very sticky play-doh.

2. Lightly flour a silpat or plastic wrap (it should barely be covered with a fine film of flour). Divide the dough into softball sized portions (you can make them smaller for a mini bagel, or larger for a deli-sized bagel)

3. Gently roll the dough balls on the floured surface of the silpat until they're smooth. Flatten each ball ito a disk, about 4 inches by 1 1/2 inches thick.

4. Verygently, with floured hands, poke a hole into the center of the dough an work it until the hole is about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. Repeat with all the dough. Let the bagels rise for 30 minutes.

5. Heat a pan full of water, at least 3 inches deep to boiling. Add about a tablespoon of sugar per 2 quarts of water. Drop no more than 3 bagels in at a time (they swell as they cook)!

6. Simmer for 3 minutes, gently turn over and simmer for another 4 minutes.

7. Place back on parchment paper. When the tray is full, place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.Meanwhile combine all of the onion, garlic, poppy seeds, caraway seeds, sesame seeds and salt.Remove from oven and brush all over with egg white mixture and sprinkle equally with the seed mixture.

Return to oven and bake for 20-30 minutes more, or until deep golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing.

Variation: Substitute all poppy seeds or all sesame seeds for the seed mixture.

These really and truly taste, look and have the mouth feel of a great bagel. Serve with cream cheese and, if you're so inspired, lox. They freeze beautifully and reheat well. For a treat, make them into Breakfast Sandwiches.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line three or four baking sheets with parchment paper.1. Mix all Dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the water and knead with your hands until the mixture resembles very sticky play-doh.2. Lightly flour a silpat or plastic wrap (it should barely be covered with a fine film of flour). Divide the dough into softball sized portions (you can make them smaller for a mini bagel, or larger for a deli-sized bagel)

3. Gently roll the dough balls on the floured surface of the silpat until they're smooth. Flatten each ball ito a disk, about 4 inches by 1 1/2 inches thick.

4. Verygently, with floured hands, poke a hole into the center of the dough an work it until the hole is about 1/2 inch in diameter. Repeat with all the dough. Let the bagels rise for 30 minutes. 5. Heat a pan full of water, at least 3 inches deep to boiling. Drop no more than 3 bagels in at a time (they swell as they cook)!6. Simmer for 3 minutes, gently turn over and simmer for another 4 minutes.7. Place back on parchment paper. When the tray is full, place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and brush all over with egg white mixture.

Return to oven and bake for 20-30 minutes more, or until deep golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing.

It's called the "Lox Box" and can be found at Loxbox.com. I found it at a specialty cook store. It ends up curing the salmon in the fridge in brine (salt, sugar, water) over a couple of days. I've actually seen it done without the special box on some show on Food Network. It's foolproof and really yummy.

Hi Naomi, I am very excited about a Bagel recipe. I will try this next time I am home. After a dairy free month of healing I am healthy again! I have not gotten sick in 3 weeks, which is a big deal considering that I was sick all summer long. I would love to call some time, I have a few questions.